Arcata bust nets $61K, 550 pot plants

After serving a search warrant Wednesday morning, the Arcata Police Department reported finding cash, firearms and numerous marijuana plants in a home on the 1700 block of Roberts Way.

After entering the residence, officers reported finding a marijuana growing operation that utilized several rooms in the home. They found 550 growing marijuana plants, about four pounds of processed marijuana, six firearms and more than $61,000 in cash, officials said. The grow operation was using an estimated eight times the electricity of a typical Arcata family home, a press release said. Officers also seized a 2010 Toyota Tundra pickup truck, worth an estimated $38,000.

Arcata resident Justin Dion Decarolis, 32, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of cultivation of marijuana and possession of marijuana for sale.

City of Arcata building inspectors found several building code violations inside the residence, which necessitated a disconnection of electricity, a release said.